Pochettino warns of Bosnia – Round of 16 between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnian national team coach Sergej Barbarez soberly assessed the situation ahead of the match: "For us, all of this is a bonus. But clearly: our goal is to win the match." His team is aware of its underdog role but takes on the duel with the host in a sporting manner.

Barbarez and the role of the bonus

In Bosnia's squad, the coach relies on a mix of experienced players and new faces. Edin Džeko is described as a veteran who is to lead the attack as the team's leader. Alongside him, striker Haris Tabaković, who previously played for Austria, is hoping for his first World Cup appearance.

On the US side, the team is preparing intensively for the opponent. Team captain Tim Ream emphasized that the Bosnians are not an easy team to play against: "That's a difficult team to play." Ream also warned against categorizing Bosnia as purely defensive: "I don't know if we should really expect Bosnia to set up only defensively. We have to expect the unexpected."

US head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose team advanced to the Round of 16 as host nation, echoed the warning. He pointed to the Eastern Europeans' unusual style of play and demanded full concentration throughout the entire match. The team showed in the group stage that it also finds solutions against deep-defending opponents.

Outburst involving TV reporter

Alongside the sporting preparations, the match also stirred emotions off the pitch. US journalist Abigail Velez of ABC7 publicly admitted that she could not locate Bosnia on any map and had no interest in the country before the match. In a widely criticized segment, she said: "One thing about Bosnia: I couldn't even point to where it is on a map. I have no idea about Bosnia and don't want to know either. Because Team USA is back and better than ever. Get ready, Bosnia, because you don't want it – but you're going to get it!" After heavy criticism on social media, Velez apologized for her remarks.

Pochettino used the controversy to rally his players around showing respect for the opponent. Anyone who treats a World Cup opponent contemptuously has already underestimated the opponent's strength, the Argentine coach noted. For the team, the simple rule therefore applies: take every match with the necessary seriousness.

Outlook on the match

The USA, who as hosts were directly placed in the finals without having to play qualifying matches, want to use their home advantage and advance past a World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in a long while. Folarin Balogun, a young attacker, is ready to invigorate the offense.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of the outcome, it is about more than just sporting progress: the match is the most important stage to date for a country participating in a World Cup finals for the first time. A success against the hosts would further raise the standing of football in the country and secure worldwide attention for Barbarez's side.

Kickoff is Thursday at 2:00 a.m. Central European Time. ORF 1 broadcasts the match live. The coaches will decide on the lineup only shortly before the match.